Whitefish man admits to stealing from deputy

A Whitefish man has admitted stealing from a Flathead County deputy on whose house he had been contracted to work.

David Lamb, 32, admitted during a hearing Thursday in Flathead District Court that he stole several items from the home of Robert Brauer, pleading guilty to a charge of felony theft.

The thefts occurred while Brauer was recuperating in a Washington hospital and then at a Montana rehabilitation center after being seriously injured in a head-on collision.

Brauer allegedly was struck head on by Lucy Beard on Aug. 3, 2013, as he was driving home at about 2:40 a.m., suffering a broken left femur, left tibia, right heel, right kneecap and right wrist. Most of his left foot was broken due to the brake pedal being bent down into it, crushing it.

He also nearly bled to death.

Lamb stole a mountain bicycle, a firearm and numerous tools from Brauer’s home.

Most of the items were found at First National Pawn in Kalispell. He told officers he took and pawned the items to pay for a gambling habit.

A sentencing hearing has been set for June 26.